The photograph of Russian troops hoisting the red flag over burning Berlin is recognised as one of the most famous wartime images.
Sixty three years after the photograph was taken, a new exhibition in Germany reveals the image was doctored to protect the soldier from the wrath of Joseph Stalin.
Despite having no problem with his Red Army troops raping German women, Stalin took exception to looting and warned any soldiers caught doing so would face execution.
Iconic: The edited image of Russians raising the flag over burning Berlin in 1945, which was seen the world over, shows the bottom right soldier with only one watch and more dramatic smoke The real McCoy: The original image shows the soldier in the bottom right wearing two watches
Stalin's no-looting rule created a problem for the soldier raising the flag on the roof of the Reichstag building - because he was clearly wearing two watches in the photo.
Read the rest on the DailyMail.
# Posted by Michelle Moran @ |
Thursday, May 08, 2008